The Yili travel guide mainly includes key points such as the best travel time, must-visit attractions, route planning, and practical tips.?
I. Best Travel Time?
The best travel time in Yili is mainly concentrated in spring (especially from early March to mid-April, mainly for apricot blossom viewing) and summer (from June to August, with lush grasslands and pleasant weather). Spring in Yili is famous for its apricot blossoms, and Tulgen Apricot Grove is an excellent place to view them. The peak bloom period is expected from early March to mid-April, with apricot blossoms blooming earlier in low-altitude areas and later in high-altitude areas.?
. Summer in Yili is a paradise for escaping the heat, with natural landscapes such as grasslands, lakes, and flower seas presenting their most beautiful states.?
II. Must-Visit Attractions?
Tulgen Apricot Grove: A globally renowned gathering place for primitive wild apricot forests. The ticket price is 30 yuan, and the shuttle bus fee is 10 yuan. The best viewing point is at the top of the hill, where you can appreciate the magnificent panorama of tens of thousands of acres of wild apricot forests.?
Sayram Lake: Xinjiang’s largest alpine lake, with sapphire-blue waters and surroundings resembling a fairy tale. It’s suitable for self-driving around the lake, encountering different perspectives of the lake and mountains.?
Guozigou Bridge: A magnificent modern bridge perfectly integrated with the natural scenery of mountains and rivers. Standing on the observation deck, you can easily capture the full view of the bridge.?
Nalati Grassland: Known as the ‘Sky Grassland,’ it is a place where snow-capped mountains, forests, and grasslands intertwine, suitable for horse riding or hiking to appreciate the beauty.?
Kalajun Grassland: It integrates grassland, forest, and canyon landscapes, with beautiful views such as colorful meadows. Hiking here allows you to overlook the magnificent scenery of the grassland.?
III. Route Planning?
A 6-day tour of the Yili loop is a good choice, covering many of the above attractions. For example:?
Day 1: Urumqi – Sayram Lake – Yining?
Day 2: Yining – Lavender Field – Xiata – Zhaosu/Tekes?
Day 3-6: Continue exploring other attractions in the Yili area, such as the Qiongkushitai Ancient Village, Xinyuan/Nalati Town, etc.?
IV. Practical Tips?
Weather and Clothing: The temperature difference between day and night in the Yili area is large, so you need to bring warm clothing such as windbreakers or thin down jackets. Additionally, the ultraviolet rays in Xinjiang are strong, so sunscreen measures should be taken.?
Transportation: Long-distance buses and self-driving tours are convenient ways to travel in Xinjiang. You can choose suitable transportation based on your time and budget.?
Diet: Xinjiang cuisine is rich and diverse, but during your trip, you need to pay attention to food hygiene to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort.?
Time Difference: Xinjiang time is two hours later than the mainland, so you need to adjust your schedule to adapt to the local lifestyle.?
In summary, Yili is a place full of natural beauty and ethnic customs. Whether it’s the apricot blossoms in spring or the grassland scenery in summer, it’s definitely worth a visit. When planning your itinerary, you can choose suitable attractions and routes based on your time and interests, and pay attention to practical tips on weather, transportation, and diet.?
